Three Congolese nationals detained for child trafficking in Uganda
"We must work together to protect vulnerable children and dismantle these trafficking networks," said SP Collins Asea.
Nebbi: Security officials at the Goli One-Stop Border Point in Jupangira Sub-County, Nebbi District, have arrested three Congolese nationals for allegedly trafficking 24 children from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into Uganda.
The suspects, Bwona Oyirwoth, Kapara Nyayic, and Owen Diedhone, all residents of Mangele, Mahagi Territory in the DRC were intercepted while attempting to transport the children, aged 6 to 10, to the Ocea Refugee Settlement in Arua District.
Bwona Oyirwoth, 34, who has been identified as the primary suspect, told authorities that the children were fleeing conflict in Djalasiga, DRC, and admitted to transporting them without notifying their parents. He claimed his actions were motivated by good intentions.
The incident was reported by Sunday Ogenrwoth, Chairperson of Jupangira Sub-County. Nebbi Resident District Commissioner Robert Abak is working closely with Congolese officials to coordinate the children’s safe return and to resolve the case.
The suspects are currently held at Nebbi Central Police Station, while the children are scheduled for repatriation to the DRC.
According to West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson SP Collins Asea, a multi-agency operation involving Uganda Police, Immigration, ISO, ESO, and CMI is underway to transfer the suspects for further legal proceedings.
Trafficking in persons defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of individuals through coercion, fraud, or deceit for purposes of exploitation is a persistent issue in Uganda.
The country is categorized as a source, transit, and destination point, particularly for women and children trafficked for forced labor, sexual exploitation, and organ trade.
Refugees and conflict-displaced individuals from neighboring countries like the DRC are especially vulnerable to trafficking networks.
The 2024 U.S. Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report classified Uganda as a Tier 2 country, indicating it is making significant efforts but does not yet meet the minimum international standards for eliminating trafficking.
In 2023, the Ugandan government investigated 1,506 trafficking cases, with 1,200 involving children. Only 45 convictions were recorded, a decline from 63 in 2022.
The Coordination Office for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (COPTIP) reported that 70% of victims were children, mostly trafficked for labor or sexual exploitation.
Nebbi District, due to its strategic location along the DRC border, remains a hotspot for cross-border trafficking.
Local police have urged the public, especially residents in border communities, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or activities to help curb trafficking.
“We must work together to protect vulnerable children and dismantle these trafficking networks,” said SP Collins Asea.
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